July 17, 2003 -- Jacksonville State University's 2003 Summer commencement will be held Friday, August 1, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. in Paul Snow Stadium. Mr. William F. O'Connor, Jr., who is the Managing Director for Campaign for Alabama is the commencement speaker.

There will be ample seating at the stadium for all who wish to attend. In the event the weather precludes an outdoor rehearsal or exercise, the commencement activity will be held in Pete Mathews Coliseum. Due to space limitations, each graduate will be given six guest tickets for admission to the coliseum. Tickets will be distributed at rehearsal. Graduates needing fewer than six tickets are asked to request only the number needed. Only those visitors with tickets to commencement will be admitted to the ceremony in the coliseum. The Theron Montgomery Building will be available for additional seating to view the ceremony on a large screen. Tickets will also be needed for admission to Theron Montgomery Building.

Local radio stations and campus security will announce any decision to locate the commencement activity in Pete Mathews Coliseum should weather become a factor. Call the Graduation Hotline, 782-8197, for changes in the rehearsal or ceremony location.

Top graduates include Misty Dawn Phillips, of Bynum, AL, who graduates with a perfect 4.0 grade point average; Rebecca Pike McClendon, of Albertville, AL, with a GPA of 3.97; Elizabeth M. Mayne, of Jacksonville, AL, with a GPA of 3.89; Sarah E. Finlayson, of Southside, AL, with a GPA of 3.89; and Rachel Nelson Hatchett, of Sylacauga, AL, with a GPA of 3.88.

Ms. Phillips receives the Bachelor of Arts degree with double major in English and Psychology; Ms. McClendon receives the Bachelor of Social Work degree with a major in Social Work; Ms. Mayne receives the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology and a minor in English; Ms. Finlayson receives the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Communication and a minor in History; Ms. Hatchett receives the Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.

The awarding of honors to graduates by JSU is presented as follows: The designation "cum laude" will be engrossed upon the diplomas of graduating students who obtain a grade point average of 3.5 to 3.69 quality points on hours attempted; "magna cum laude," for a grade point average of 3.7 to 3.89; and "summa cum laude," for a grade point average of 3.9 to 4.0. The designation "with special honors in {major}" will be engrossed upon the diplomas of those who maintain an average of 3.5 in their major field and 3.25 overall.

Students receiving degrees are listed by program level of study completed-Undergraduate/Graduate-and also geographically by hometown/county for Alabama's in-state students, by state and city for out-of state students, and finally by country for foreign students. Graduates of JSU's Summer 2003 Semester are listed below.